Responding to ABS-CBN’s invitation to represent the local youth sector, seventeen Technologians took part in the ABS-CBN Harapan: The Vice-Presidential Debate last Sunday, March 21, at 10 PM.
The debate, held in Manila, was attended by six vice-presidential aspirants, namely, Sen. Loren Legarda, Sen. Mar Roxas, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando, broadcaster Jay Sonza, and Atty. Perfecto Yasay, Jr. The CIT group was part of the 45-person live audience in Cebu, with Naga City and Davao City as other key simulcast points in the country.
Mark Anthony Razonable, a BSECE-3 student, felt happy to join the event. He said, "It made me realize that now is the time to do something for the betterment of our beloved country." He was also privileged to express his sentiments and opinion through the wireless audience response system (WARS), a technology used during the event where members of the audience would press a button to indicate whether they agreed or disagreed with a candidate’s statement. Aside from the credibility and competence of the candidate, how the candidate responded to the questions and issues raised during the debate also became strong criteria on his assessment of the candidate.

CIT-SSG President Alan Angelo Llevares, who led the CIT participants, believes that the event further enlightened Technologians in identifying the most capable and worthy candidate. Their participation demonstrated Technologians' civic-mindedness and active concern with events seriously affecting the nation.

The invitation, sent through the CIT-SSG, was open to all Technologians. Also among the audience were students of University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJR) and University of the Philippines Visayas – Cebu College (UPVCC), local businessmen and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Liberal Party's Noynoy Aquino emerged at the top during the mock presidential poll organized by CIT-SSG as part of its voters education exhibit dubbed as "The Indelible Ink: A Guide to Responsible and Informed Voting" from March 17-19, 2010.

In the neck-to-neck results of the conducted mock poll, Aquino got 40.38 % of the votes while Lakas-Kampi-CMD's Gilbert Teodoro got 37.09%. Nacionalista Party's Manny Villar was at third place with 11.79 % of the votes followed by Bagumbayan's Richard Gordon who got 4.68% of the votes. Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino's Erap Estrada placed fifth with 2.6%, Bangon Pilipinas' Eddie Villanueva at 1.91%, Ang Kapatiran Party's JC De Los Reyes at 0.69%, independent presidential candidates Jamby Madrigal and Nicanor Perlas at 0.52% and 0.35%, respectively. A total of 577 students, security guards, school officials and faculty members participated in the mock poll.

Aside from the mock presidential poll, the exhibit also featured profiles of the presidential candidates, information on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Youth Agenda, reminders on responsible voting and guide to automated election. Students were also encouraged to speak their mind by sharing their thoughts on what they were looking for in their choice of president. The exhibit was part of CIT-SSG's initiative to guide individuals within its own sphere of influence to make informed choices on the coming 2010 national elections.

DISCLAIMER: The results do not reflect the choice of the entire CIT population. In addition,the choice of those who joined the mock poll may also change during the actual election day.

In behalf of the entire CIT-SSG 2010-2011, we would like to extend our congratulations to the selected CIT-SSG 2009-2010 officers who will be awarded tomorrow in the CIT Parangal 2010 to recognize their valuable service that they have given.
Below is the list of the CIT-SSG Leadership Awardees for this year's Parangal:

The day started with a holy mass in the CIT Chapel offered for the success of the incoming officers. Joining the mass were former CIT-SSG President Billy Jee Belenson, the new CIT-SSG President Alan Angelo Llevares and the new CIT-SSG Vice President Dexter Dungog.

CIT-SSG officers representing the different departments and colleges of the school converged for the induction at the Function Rooms A & B of the Golden Gear Hotel. Gracing the induction ceremonies were Student Affairs Office Head Elsa J. Miral, MIS-SPS Director Engr. Bernard E. Villamor and CIT-SSG Adviser Engr. Jonathan Reyes.

The event started with an opening remarks from Mrs. Miral reinforcing the leadership in every officers. She also emphasized the willingness of their office to help the CIT-SSG in every undertakings for the welfare of the students.

Later, the CIT-SSG Legislative Representatives were inducted by Engr. Reyes. The induction of CIT-SSG Vice President Dungog and CIT-SSG President Llevares were officiated by Mrs. Miral.

Former CIT-SSG President Belenson gave his valedictory address and shared his thoughts on how his leadership has been. He expressed his gratitude to everyone who made the CIT-SSG 2009-2010 a successful administration. He said that it never crossed his mind of being a CIT-SSG President given that he was only an ordinary promdi boy in the school. But when the opportunity was there, he grabbed it and took responsibility. Though his term has ended, he has committed to extend his help to the incoming officers.

The new CIT-SSG President Llevares also delivered his speech which centered on making a positive change in his administration. He was also thankful by the warm reception of the different legislative representatives despite their party affiliation.

Engr. Villamor gave an inspirational talk with the officers and asking them to do their best as elected officers for they're student leaders in their own right.

Engr. Reyes formally closing the event literally made a meaning out of the word "CLOSING". He asked the different representatives to work with the new President and transcend with the political divide for the good of the Technologians.

College of Education Dean and outgoing Cebu City Councilor Arsenio Pacaña also shared his thoughts on leadership which encouraged more the officers to give their best shot in everything that they do.

After the induction ceremonies, the CIT-SSG immediately proceeded to the CIT-SSG Office for the 1st Joint Session. But before it started, CIT-SSG President Llevares initiated an activity which gives all of the officers to introduce themselves and share their expectations.

The 1st Joint Session was convened on 1:55 PM.

The officers elected their Speaker, Speaker Pro tempore, Legislative Secretary and different Committee heads and already started discussing about the upcoming Voter's Education Exhibit within this month.